WorkSafeBC fines Interior Health $275K after workers exposed to unknown substance - Action News
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British Columbia

WorkSafeBC fines Interior Health $275K after workers exposed to unknown substance

WorkSafeBC has fined Interior Health nearly $275,000 for failing to adequately communicate to its workers what they should do if they are exposed to an illicit substance.

WorkSafeBC says employers procedure for responding to illicit substances was not adequately communicated

An N95 particulate respirator is shown in Mississauga, Ont., on Friday, April 3, 2020.
B.C.'s Interior Health Authority has been fined nearly $275,000 after workers were exposed to an unknown substance at a hospital in Penticton. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

British Columbia's worker protection agency has fined the Interior Health Authority nearly $275,000 after hospital staff were exposed to an unknown substance.

According to an April inspection report from WorkSafeBC,the agency investigated complaints from workers "following a potential exposure to illicit drugs" at Penticton General Hospital.

Two workers became illafter a noxious odour was detected in a patient's room. Eight other workers were also treated for exposure.

The agency fined Interior Health$274,073.89 in August.

The reportdoes not say what the substance was, but a summary of the fine posted on the WorkSafeBC website says the employer's procedure for responding to illicit substances had not been adequately communicated to workersand the employerfailed to implement writtenprocedures to minimize risks.

Interior Health said in a statement to CBC News that it has addressed the concerns raised by WorkSafeBC.

"The presence of illicit substances in a hospital is concerning, and both Interior Health and the province have implemented measures to address substance use concerns in hospital settings across the province," the statement reads.

The Hospital Employees' Union said it is reviewing the WorksSafeBC ruling and isnot aware of any members who wereimpacted by the incident.

"We will continue to push Interior Health to fully enforce health and safety regulations at this facility and all sites in this region," HEU spokesperson Lynn Bueckert said.

With files from Tom Popyk and The Canadian Press